Taking the field under blue skies and in sweltering temperatures at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Naval Academy's graduating class of 2016 is proud and ready to serve.

"It's been four years," 2nd Lt. Harrison Barnes said. "A lot of hard work, but finally getting out of here and getting to the fleet. It's going to be awesome."

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"It's definitely been a challenging four years, but it's been a lot of fun," Ensign Melissa Felman said. "Great friends. Got to do a lot of things. I've been waiting for this day for a while and I'm really excited."

For the first time this year, female graduates are dressed like their male counterparts with no skirts or heeled shoes. Also, 27 midshipmen are the first to graduate with a cyber operations major, the only one of its kind in the country.

"I wanted to be on the forefront of the information base and join in," cyber operation graduate Nighel Cobb said. "The major would be the best way to do that. It's opened me up to a world of experience. I got to go to White House meet the president."

Most of the graduates will be ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marines One graduate is going into the Coast Guard and another is going into the Air Force.

There are even two graduates going into the NFL, including Keenan Reynolds was drafted by the Ravens. The Navy quarterback was selected in the sixth round and is making the transition to wide receiver.

"It's a transition," Reynolds said. "It's a new chapter in life. Becoming an officer in the military and being able to play for the Ravens; it's a blessing for real."

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced Friday that Reynolds may defer his military service and will be eligible to play in the NFL in 2016.

“This is good news, and congratulations to Keenan on his graduation today," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement.

Reynolds said he is grateful for the opportunity to play in the NFL. He had 31 touchdown passes

“It is a blessing to hear the news from Defense Secretary Carter today," Reynolds said in a statement. "I am truly excited to proudly serve my country while having the ability fulfill my dream of playing for the best organization in the NFL.

“I would like to thank the Navy for allowing me to represent them while taking advantage of this unique opportunity. I would also like to thank (Ravens owner Steve) Bisciotti and the Ravens organization for believing in me and giving me this chance.”

Chris Swain, a fullback who has signed with the San Diego Chargers, was also cleared to defer his military service to play in the NFL.